British National Party leader Nick Griffin causes a stir after his appearance on the political debate show

The shocking appearance of Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, caused quite a stir amongst the audience and viewers of Question Time (22nd October, 2009). Although Question Time deals with the current and controversial affairs in politics, rarely have I seen this programme ignite such a nationwide debate. Had the BBC decided to bring him on in order to increase their audience? The show attracted three times more viewers at 7.8 million. The BBC’s Deputy Director- General said: “This very large audience clearly demonstrates the public interest in seeing elected politicians being scrutinised by the public themselves…. The agenda of the programme was set by the audience’s own questions”. If the programmes agenda was set up by the audience, then the audience lacked any right wing supporters.

Was it fair then that the race issue was top of the agenda? Griffin attacked the programme saying it was a “lynch mob” and that he was unable to talk about the topics that were important to him such as our boys in Afghanistan and postal strikes. From the outset Griffin was attacked at all angles, being called “an absolute disgrace” by a black member of the audience.

I can only feel somewhat disappointed that the entire programme was based on racist topics. I would have liked to have heard Nick Griffin’s views on issues we the public still grumble about. This is a democratic society and the public have voted BNP in, and therefore the seat that they have won should be fairly heard.

However, like others I do not support the fundamental views or constitution of the BNP. I also cannot believe that a once very fascist party has had a makeover? Sayeeda Warsi, Shadow Cabinet Minister of the Conservative Party, said “the public has been let down by its current Government in areas such as immigration; non- racist voters have voted BNP because they have felt they had no other choice”. I cannot help but agree, the public has been let down by our current Government on immigration. Surely the Government could adopt a migration system similar to the Australian or Canadian system which is renowned for having the best immigration system in the world.

Nick Griffin claims that we are losing our national identity because we have opened up our borders. Whether we have lost it or not, cannot change the fact that we do live in a multi-cultural society. The subject of immigration and asylum is a complex argument and cannot be summed up in a debate on Question Time. If the public believe they are under-represented in areas such as common British values, would it not be better if the BNP terminated their party and created a new party, one that had a fundamental constitution based on non-racist views?

The BNP have recognised the areas in Britain where there are high numbers of immigrants and won the minds of the people who are frustrated with the current situation. They have used this argument with a few other issues, as a smoke screen to get their party into Government. Immigration in this country is getting out of hand and the now that a party like the BNP has won a seat; hopefully the Government will take note before the next general election, because I don’t think we have heard the last of the BNP.

What’s your view? Email lc197@canterbury.ac.uk.

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